Russian propaganda spreading fake claims about food shortages in Ukraine

Russian propagandists fabricated images and forged the cover of a Polish newspaper to create the illusion of a large-scale food crisis in Ukraine

Russian accounts on Telegram and the social network X are circulating photos allegedly showing a new mobile app called “De Khlib?” (“Where Is the Bread?”), supposedly created to help people “find” bread in Kharkiv. The posts claim that Ukraine is experiencing major food shortages and that the population is allegedly beginning to starve.

This is fake. There is no app with this name and description in the App Store. The image of its purported page is fabricated and merely imitates the store’s interface. In particular, the app information elements shown in the image – the rating and age rating – are positioned differently from those in the standard interface.

In addition, the map in the fabricated screenshot shows a Kulinichi store at 87 Sumska Street in Kharkiv. However, this address does not appear in the available lists of the chain’s outlets.

Russian media, Telegram channels and X accounts are also circulating photos allegedly taken in Ukrainian supermarkets showing “notices” banning people from photographing empty shelves, threatening fines and accusing them of “working for the enemy.”

This is also fake. The images have been fabricated and generated using artificial intelligence. The Center for Countering Disinformation confirms this: according to the Center, the circulated images are fake, and some contain a fabricated threat of a UAH 3,000 fine. The Center also notes that the original source of the images was Russian propaganda Telegram channels.

We additionally checked the photos using AI or Not and Hive Moderation. Both tools indicate a high probability that the images were generated using AI.

Furthermore, Russian propaganda channels on social media are circulating a forged cover of the Polish weekly Przegląd Regionalny, claiming that 63% of Ukrainians allegedly expect a “hungry fall and winter.”

This is fake. The publication’s official website confirms that Issue No. 372 was published on August 19, 2026. However, it contains no fabricated article about a “hungry fall and winter” in Ukraine. Among the genuine articles in the issue is information about a new park in Szczęsne.

On the forged cover, propagandists replaced the actual article about the park with a fabricated report about an alleged food crisis in Ukraine. The Center for Countering Disinformation had previously debunked this fake as well. The Center says the forged cover was part of the same disinformation campaign.

These fakes are aimed at demoralizing Ukrainians and spreading fear about food security. The Center for Countering Disinformation links the campaign to temporary difficulties in supplying stores with food caused by Russian attacks on warehouses and logistics centers.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russians previously fabricated an “exhibit” featuring a helmet belonging to Laura Loomer at the Holodomor Museum.

By Andrii Olenin